This is exciting news: the NFL will be welcoming it's FIRST (crazy, right?) female official during a game on Thursday!

The lame part of it is that it's happening under not-so-happy circumstances — not meaning that she isn't qualified or doesn't deserve it. It's happening because replacement officials are filling in for the locked-out referees.

We say that despite that, this is a very cool thing to happen: the San Diego Chargers-Green Bay Packers game Thursday night will be the first to have a female official on the field, and that's huge.

Her name is Shannon Eastin, and she's a veteran of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference — we're hoping she inspires others to follow.

She has reffed football games for 16 years, and will be the line judge.

Here's what she had to say (in 1999):

"It may sound crazy to some people, but I think I can be in the NFL some day. I told them that I would go referee in the NFL Europe league for five years if that's what it takes. You've got to believe in yourself. If you don't, nobody else will."

"I think that if a coach sees you working hard, making sharp calls, that they will respect you no matter who you are. You can't hesitate. You have tohave a court presence and a field presence."

Brilliant!

It's so cool to see that realize, we just would rather it not have taken this long for her!

We can only wish her the best of luck — we hope Thursday goes well, Shannon!!